Abstract: A total knee prosthesis comprises a femoral component and a patellar component. The femoral component has a patellar flange into which is built a twist or roller coaster configuration. The patellar component has an off-set dome with respective lateral and medial facets. The configuration of the patellar flange resists forces from a medial to a lateral direction, whilst the lateral and medial facets of the patellar component are respectively shaped to allow area contact and line contact respectively with the femoral component. Also disclosed is a device for intra-operative checking of patellar tracking to allow correct insertion of the femoral and patellar components.

Abstract: A femoral implant for fitting to a resected femur comprises a section having a frustoconical external form, a stem part extending away from the section to a distal end of the implant, and a femoral head extending directly away from the section to the proximal end of the implant. The implant could have the femoral head integral with the section, or as a separate component secured thereto, with the stem being a separate one piece component incorporating the section.

Abstract: A femoral implant for fitting to a resected femur comprises a section having a frustoconical external form, a stem part extending away from the section to a distal end of the implant, and a femoral head extending directly away from the section to the proximal end of the implant. The implant could have the femoral head integral with the section, or as a separate component secured thereto, with the stem being a separate one piece component incorporating the section.

Abstract: An implant stem (1, 2) for implantation in a femur, comprising: a base portion (3) disposed at the proximal end (4) of the stem and a stem portion (5) extending to the distal end (6) of the stem, wherein the base portion (3) has an engagement means (7) for engaging, in use, with the resected end of the femur. An implant comprising such a stem (1, 2) and a head. A method for implanting such implants in a femur.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for extracting energy from a fluid flow. The device has an air compression chamber and an array of valves, operable to open and close to regulate flow of the fluid through associated valve apertures. The valves are operable to close progressively as the fluid flow is incident thereon, thereby focusing flow of the liquid towards the air compression chamber and compressing air therein. The valves also open on a return flow of liquid from the compression chamber.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises a femoral component, a tibial component and a bearing component between the femoral and tibial components. The femoral component defines medial and lateral condyles and an intercondylar box, and the bearing component has respective surfaces matching the condylar surfaces and engaging therewith when the knee is extended over a first range of flexion. The femoral component defines at the area of the intercondylar box a cam and a follower is defined by the bearing component, the cam and following engaging over a second range of flexion.

Abstract: A total knee prosthesis comprises a femoral component and a patellar component. The femoral component has a patellar flange into which is built a twist or roller coaster configuration. The patellar component has an off-set dome with respective lateral and medial facets. The configuration of the patellar flange resists forces from a medial to a lateral direction, whilst the lateral and medial facets of the patellar component are respectively shaped to allow area contact and line contact respectively with the femoral component. Also disclosed is a device for intra-operative checking of patellar tracking to allow correct insertion of the femoral and patellar components.

Abstract: An alignment device comprises a guide having a tangible guide component, said guide being configured for arranging the guide component at an angle with respect to a reference element; and a positioning means; the positioning means and the guide component being operable to cooperate to position an item at the angle set by the guide component. The alignment device is particularly useful in surgical procedures for the alignment of surgical tools and implants.

Abstract: Instrumentation for use in knee surgery comprises an intramedullary rod (10) for insertion into an end of a femur (100) and a distraction device (62) coupleable to the intramedullary rod (10) and operable between the intramedullary rod (10) and the tibia for adjusting the tension of the collateral ligaments on either side of the knee. A cutting guide (70) is configured to locate over an intramedullary rod (10) that has been inserted into an end of a femur (100), such that the position of the cutting guide (70) relative to the intramedullary rod (10), and therefore the femur (100), is adjustable in at least the anterior-posterior direction. A kit for use in knee surgery is provided and a method of adjusting the tension of the collateral ligaments on either side of a knee is taught.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises a femoral component, a tibial component and a bearing component therebetween. The femoral component defines medial and lateral condylar surfaces which are in the form of respective parts of a common helix, and the bearing component has respective surfaces matching the condylar surfaces. Accordingly a patella groove in the femoral component is laterally displaced, and on flexion of the knee, in use, from an extended position there is a lateral translatory movement of the femur. Congruent contact between the femoral component and the bearing component is maintained through at least 60° of flexion of the knee from an extended position.

Abstract: A femoral implant for fitting to a resected femur comprises a section having a frustoconical external form, a stem part extending away from the section to a distal end of the implant, and a femoral head extending directly away from the section to the proximal end of the implant. The implant could have the femoral head integral with the section, or as a separate component secured thereto, with the stem being a separate one piece component incorporating the section.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises a femoral component, a tibial component and a bearing component therebetween. The femoral component defines medial and lateral condylar surfaces which are in the form of respective parts of a common helix, and the bearing component has respective surfaces matching the condylar surfaces. Accordingly a patella groove in the femoral component is laterally displaced, and on flexion of the knee, in use, from an extended position there is a lateral translatory movement of the femur. Congruent contact between the femoral component and the bearing component is maintained through at least 60° of flexion of the knee from an extended position.

Abstract: A method of hip resurfacing in which a first incision is made at a patient's hip joint, and a second incision is made at the other side of the patient's thigh, so that a stem part of an instrument or of an implant component applicator can be inserted through said second incision and along the inside of the femoral neck, and an operative part of the instrument, and/or an implant component, can be inserted through the first incision. The operative part and the stem part of the instrument can be releasably connected, as can the stem part of the implant component and the implant component, either directly or indirectly. The instruments can be an acetabular reamer, a sleeve cutter, a chamfer cutter or an impactor cap. The implant component is a femoral component.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprising a femoral component, a tibial component and a meniscal component therebetween, a stabilising peg extending from the tibial component through an elongated slot in the meniscal component and into an opening in the femoral component between a pair of condylar members thereof. The part of the peg extending through the slot allows the meniscal component to rotate and also to move linearly about the peg along one path, whilst the part of the peg in said opening engages cam surfaces on a projection between said condylar members as the knee is flexed, in use, and said linear movement of the meniscal component occurs.